Chlamydia (chlamydial infection) - symptoms and treatment

The causative agent of chlamydia in cats

Microorganisms that cause zooanthroponotic (common to humans and animals) chlamydia in cats are called chlamydia. These are small intracellular parasites that are something between a bacterium and a virus. This is due to the peculiarities of their structure and complex life cycle:

1. Outside the cells, microbes are in the state of an elementary body. They have a spherical membrane with genetic information located inside. This is necessary for the spread of infection within the body.
2. Reticular bodies formed when the parasite enters develop and divide. The pathogen does not show increased activity, so it goes undetected by the immune system for some time.
3. Intermediate bodies acquire the characteristic features of elementary and reticular viral parasites.

There are different types of these pathogens; for cats, the most dangerous forms are chlamydophila felis, which reproduce by division within the body.

Peak activity of chlamydia in cats is demonstrated by inflammatory conjunctivitis. And if the immune system is severely weakened, then there will be a high risk of developing complications in the form of respiratory ailments. There is no urogenital subtype of the virus for cats, but bacteria can often be found in the urinary system or intestines.

Various studies by scientists have found that about 30-60% of domestic animals are carriers of a pathogenic microorganism throughout their lives, but only a few get sick. In most cases, we can talk about an asymptomatic form. However, the absence of any signs of illness does not mean that the animal is safe.

Chlamydia in cats is not dangerous for people. A similar disease in humans is caused by another type of parasite – chlamydia trachomatis, which is transmitted exclusively through sexual contact. This form has nothing to do with the pathogen in cats. And myths about infertility or miscarriages caused by infection from a mustachioed friend are pseudo-scientific horror stories. The only trouble with this disease for a person is conjunctivitis, which can disappear without a trace in a week.

Clinical manifestations

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis, accompanied by severe lacrimation, is the main clinical sign of the disease. Often, conjunctivitis develops first on one side, and the second eye is affected only after a few days. Discharge from the tear ducts becomes purulent*, the third eyelid swells and covers part of the eye.

Unilateral conjunctivitis caused by Chlamydophila felis (© Merial).

Rhinitis

Clinical signs of rhinitis include sneezing and sometimes nasal discharge. There may be a slight increase in body temperature and decreased appetite.

The disease develops over six to eight weeks and can become chronic. Clinical recovery does not exclude carrier status*. Relapses are common.

Other forms

Chlamydophila felis was isolated from various organs (stomach, lungs, vagina). Thus, it can be assumed that these bacteria contribute to the development or cause the appearance of other clinical syndromes. It is believed that they can provoke spontaneous abortion.

Additional tests conducted and interpreted (eg PCR) by one of the veterinarians confirm the involvement of these bacteria in the observed disorders. Extreme caution must be used when interpreting laboratory results as they may require a very careful approach.

Methods of infection

Most often, pets that come into contact with stray animals become infected. Chlamydia can live for up to two days outside the host's body in a dark, warm, damp environment. In the sun they quickly die. High-risk areas include veterinary hospitals, exhibitions, shows, homeless shelters, nurseries, basements, and public places.

Cats become infected as follows:

• through the soles of shoes, outer clothing, or the hands of a person who has had contact with the carrier animal;
• from tear fluid, excrement of a sick individual;
• through bedding, wool or grass on which an infected person walked some time ago;
• by airborne droplets from direct contact;
• sexual transmission, not confirmed by scientific research.

Cats become infected by hunting birds, mice, or through contact with feces, saliva and urine of an infected rodent or bird. In laboratory conditions, it has been established that from the moment the pathogenic microorganism penetrates the conjunctiva until the first symptoms of illness appear, 3 to 5 days pass.

In the natural outdoor environment, the incubation period for feline chlamydia increases on average to two weeks. The virus lives in the external environment for about a day and a half. Pathogens die in a couple of minutes if they get into boiling water.

The following can also destroy a harmful pathogen:

• exposure to ultraviolet rays;
• chloramine;
• phenol.

Penetrating into the body, feline chlamydia enters the epithelial cells of the mucous membrane of the stomach, intestines, bladder, oral cavity, pharynx, and conjunctiva. There it begins to destroy organ protection and multiplies rapidly. This occurs due to binary fission. Young, elderly or immunocompromised animals get sick much more quickly.

The parasite spreads to the reproductive system only in a third of cases. If a pregnant female with feline chlamydia gives birth during the acute period, the offspring may be infected. This form is called neonatal. Infection occurs at the moment when the fetus moves through the birth canal. The first day the babies look healthy, but their eyes do not open for some time. After a couple of days, it becomes clear that the eyelids are glued together with purulent discharge appearing from the corners of the eyes.

Neonatal chlamydia in a kitten causes a severe respiratory complication, but it most often goes away within a week after adequate treatment. The lack of drug therapy, even if the cubs survive, entails lifelong blindness. That is why breeding individuals are tested before each mating for the presence of feline chlamydia in the body of the future parents.

Oral chlamydia and its symptoms

When infected with chlamydia during oral sex or when transmitting bacteria through household means through dishes, etc. Oral chlamydia develops, affecting the oral cavity, throat, and nasopharynx. In this case, the following symptoms of the disease may be observed:

• Constant bad breath.
• The nasopharynx becomes covered with mucous deposits.
• Gradually, the mucus moves to the upper palate and tongue.
• There is nasal congestion and difficulty breathing.
• Enlarged tonsils, swelling of the back of the throat.
• Loss of taste due to mucus on the taste buds of the tongue.
• Pain when pressing on the mucous membrane of the throat, palate or tongue.
• Difficulty breathing due to a swollen throat.
• Attacks of suffocation most often occur in the evening or during hot periods.

Over time, the patient loses taste sensitivity, and eating is accompanied by pain that appears when food passes through the sore throat. A constant unpleasant sensation in the mouth develops. Spasmodic, involuntary twitching of the tongue is acceptable.

Since the symptoms of chlamydia are quite vague and often resemble manifestations of other diseases, it is necessary to consult a doctor in case of any abnormalities (discharge, itching, burning). For women it is a gynecologist, for men it is a urologist.

Forms of chlamydia in cats

The manifestation of the disease does not begin from the very first day after infection, but after 5-10 days. Veterinarians distinguish acute and chronic forms of chlamydia in cats. Periods of exacerbation, or relapse, and attenuation, or remission, are also recorded.

Latent species

Good immunity helps the animal to vigorously fight the microbe. Therefore, the disease can occur in a hidden or, in other words, latent form. Initially, there is a fever that lasts 2-3 days. In general, the pet's condition is satisfactory. Appetite remains normal, activity does not decrease. If the eyes are a little watery, the owner will most likely think of a cold.

The first two weeks, conjunctivitis appears in one eye, then the inflammation spreads to the second organ of vision. The mucous membrane of the eyelids swells and turns red. This can last from several days to a couple of months.

Pneumonia with this type of chlamydia in cats is extremely difficult to diagnose because small peripheral areas of the lungs become inflamed. In this case, breathing is almost not affected. Only a histological examination performed in a veterinary clinic will help determine a pulmonary disease.

The reproductive system is also subject to pathology: cervicitis develops, that is, inflammation of the cervix, urethritis, and miscarriages occur in pregnant females. Males experience orchitis, or inflammation of the testes, as well as balanoposthitis of the glans penis.

Acute and chronic types

With chronic manifestations of chlamydia in cats, the listed signs are invisible, so it is very difficult to guess about the disease. Due to the lack of a clear clinical picture, the pet will be a carrier, and no one will guess about it.

In the acute form, the manifestations of feline chlamydia are much more noticeable. Unfortunately, not all owners attach importance to this. Over time, complete attenuation occurs, and then transition to the chronic type.

Possible complications

If the symptoms are blurred, for example, a cough, runny nose, lacrimation, then subsides or returns; chlamydia can develop into a chronic form and be asymptomatic in the cat’s body. In this case, the animal becomes dangerous for humans if you delay going to the veterinary clinic and do not follow basic hygiene rules.

The danger of chlamydia is that the blood of an animal can spread the infection throughout the body. As a result (if left untreated), organs and tissues suffer from multiple lesions against a background of weakened immunity.

In advanced cases and severe cases of the disease, the animal cannot be saved.

Symptoms of chlamydia in a cat

When chlamydia enters the body, it causes conjunctivitis, that is, suppuration of the mucous membrane of the front and inner part of the eyes. They begin to behave like intracellular parasites.

Eye inflammation

The pathogen penetrates the epithelial cells of the conjunctiva. It develops, destroying tissue, and purulent discharge appears. Clinical signs can be diagnosed only after 5-6 days. First one eye is affected, after 2 days both are affected.

The symptoms are severe: in addition to pain and discomfort, involuntary contraction of the eyelid appears. The mustachioed friend can hardly open his eyes, and there is severe swelling. Often the third eyelid swells so much that it bulges out.

Other symptoms:

• severe sneezing;
• cough;
• labored breathing;
• runny nose.

Thick yellow-green discharge flows from the nose and eyes. They dry quickly, forming a crust that is not recommended to be touched. Wanting to help, the owner risks damaging the soft tissues of these organs.

Respiratory view

This manifestation of chlamydia in cats is not considered typical, and it is rare. Veterinarians often misidentify it as bacterial pneumonia. Indeed, the clinical picture of chlamydial pneumonia is almost no different from ordinary pneumonia.

Signs may be the following:

• apathy;
• refusal to eat;
• high body temperature;
• cough.

The cough is initially hard and barking. Over time, it softens, it seems that something is gurgling in the chest. In the absence of timely treatment, sepsis develops. In such cases, the body temperature decreases, then the cat falls into a coma.

Chlamydial arthritis

The first reported case of such arthritis was described in 1999. Therefore, the pathogen has not yet been fully studied. Kittens and young animals are most at risk of becoming infected. However, cases of the disease have been identified regardless of age and breed.

Gastrointestinal disorders

With this type of infection, problems with the gastrointestinal tract rarely occur, although the accumulation and growth of harmful microorganisms occurs there. The main problem of gastrointestinal chlamydia is its asymptomatic course. In almost all cases, the appetite of infected animals is preserved, and the stool has a normal consistency. In this case, only laboratory tests can detect the disease.

Genitourinary disorders

Sexual chlamydia also does not have pronounced symptoms, although in approximately 30% of infected cats, chlamydia affects the reproductive and urinary systems. In some cases, owners note a pinkish discharge from the cat’s vagina; in males, the symptoms are more difficult to notice. The maximum that you can pay attention to is the constant licking of the genitals.

In unsanitary conditions, living in crowded conditions, in poorly ventilated areas, the spread of the virus occurs very quickly. So, as soon as a healthy person is in a cage or room with a sick fellow, from whose eyes purulent exudate flows, he can be considered infected.

Direct contact is not necessary for cats to become infected with chlamydia. The main factor of spread is humans. In nurseries, chlamydia can spread on the soles of shoes of staff and visitors. The microbe travels through shared bowls, trays, and hygiene items.

Main symptoms

The incubation period of the disease ranges from 5 to 20 days. Symptoms can be different - acute or sluggish, depending on the affected organ of the cat and the form of the disease (acute or chronic):

1. With a vaginal infection, the course of the disease is almost asymptomatic. The consequence will be non-viable kittens born into the world or miscarriage.
2. If the upper respiratory tract or nasal passage is affected, the pet may experience a cough, runny nose, fever with further damage to the lungs.
3. Damage to the conjunctiva (the inner surface of the eyelids, the cornea) is accompanied by lacrimation, purulent discharge from the eyes, and their bright redness.
4. Damage to the genitourinary and gastrointestinal tract can be asymptomatic, depending on the strength of the animal’s immunity. In this case, the pet becomes an asymptomatic carrier of chlamydia, releasing the infection in saliva and feces.
5. Damage to the reproductive system leads to infertility in cats with inflammation of the uterus or testes, respectively; the inflammatory processes are asymptomatic.

Diagnosis of chlamydia in a cat

The similarity of the symptoms of the onset of the disease with a common cold or conjunctivitis leads to the fact that the owners of infected people do not always seek help from a veterinary clinic. They prefer to help their pet on their own and watch for further manifestations of the disease. Unfortunately, this practice significantly worsens the patient’s condition, and then causes a transition to a latent type with a chronic course.

It has been precisely established that a sick animal with a latent course becomes a dangerous carrier for humans. Chlamydia can be spread through saliva, stool, and eye discharge. Therefore, at the first signs of chlamydia in a cat, you should promptly show it to a specialist.

At the veterinary center, he will be carefully examined and the existing symptoms will be compared with the characteristic signs of manifestations of the pathogenic microorganism. If infection is suspected, the veterinarian will prescribe a full examination:

• general blood analysis;
• swab from the nose and eyes to determine the pathogen;
• polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis;
• x-ray for difficulty breathing;
• enzyme immunoassay (ELISA).

For PCR, the laboratory examines any biological material: feces, urine, mucus, fluid from the eyes. This helps to detect even a single pathogenic cell. An ELISA test determines the presence of antibodies in the body. There is also a technique for staining a smear, which is taken from the conjunctival cavity. Most doctors consider this method to be quite subjective, because the mucous membrane may contain other microbes that interfere with the correct recognition of the disease.

To collect material for analysis, use a sterile cotton swab, as well as a special medical probe. The veterinarian examines the entire conjunctiva, places the sample in a special container and sends it for examination. Also, the patient's owner should be told in detail about possible methods of infection. This will help the specialist get a complete picture and quickly prescribe the necessary treatment.

Diagnosis and treatment

Some signs of chlamydia resemble those of other diseases. Not only with conjunctivitis, but also with rhinotracheitis, the cat coughs and redness of the eyes is observed. Pneumonia occurs in an animal both with a cold and with chlamydia infection. To accurately determine the pathology of a pet, various methods are used - from clinical methods to laboratory tests.

What tests will the veterinarian prescribe?

At the appointment, the veterinarian will ask the owner to take a blood test. In addition, they will take a swab or scraping from the cat’s throat, which helps determine the presence of inclusions of infectious agents. An enzyme immunoassay test is performed to detect antigens to harmful microorganisms and confirm infection with chlamydia. Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, the type of chlamydia is determined.

If damage to the respiratory organs is suspected, an x-ray of the cat's chest is taken.

Treatment regimen

Means to eliminate infection and fight chlamydia are prescribed by a veterinarian based on the results of tests and a visual examination of the cat. In the absence of complicated pneumonia, the pet is left at home and given medications prescribed by the doctor, being sure to follow the dosage suggested by the specialist. Treatment without medications is impossible.

Attention! If there are several kittens in the house, antibiotics for chlamydia are prescribed to all.

The treatment regimen includes the following types of drugs.

Probability of recovery

If the owner of a sick cat treats it strictly according to the regimen drawn up by the veterinarian, without skipping pills and injections, chlamydia will recede. The initial form of the disease can be successfully treated.

Important! The immunity of a pet that has suffered a pathology is greatly weakened, and the animal can become infected again.

Treatment of chlamydia in cats

In order not to distort the signs of the disease, you should not use medications before visiting the clinic. Routine eye rinsing helps. The same procedure is carried out before applying the ointment during therapy:

1. The gauze swab is moistened generously with warm boiled water, furatsilin solution or saline solution.
2. Gently wipe the eyelids, leaving smudges.
3. Soaked crusts are very carefully removed with a clean cotton swab towards the inner corner. Do not press or try to tear off dried pus.
4. Use a dry swab to gently blot the wet fur around the eyes.
5. At least 12 hours before visiting the clinic, you are allowed to instill Bars, Iris, Dekta-2.

After receiving the results of all laboratory tests and confirming the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes a treatment regimen. Typically used to treat feline chlamydia:

• antibacterial agents;
• antibiotics;
• eye drops;
• immunostimulants.

Each drug is used strictly individually. The dosage and frequency of administration depends entirely on the complexity of the disease, age and even breed of the patient. A very severe clinical picture is observed in kittens due to unformed immunity and the rapid spread of the microbe throughout the body. Only a veterinarian can prescribe medications and adjust their use for each individual furry patient.

The prognosis may be favorable if the following conditions are met:

• timely visit to the veterinary clinic;
• lack of self-medication, self-prescription of medications, especially antibiotics;
• Completed the course of therapy within 3-4 weeks;
• quarantine for contact with other household members;
• During a course of antibiotics, be sure to use probiotics;
• Chlamydia test at the end of treatment.

To effectively treat chlamydia in cats, veterinarians use tetracycline medications, such as doxycycline. The course of the drug lasts 4 weeks, it is given once a day. To completely cope with the intracellular microbe, it is important not to stop taking it. Often, the doctor will recommend continuing to give the antibiotic for at least 14 days. This will help stop the carriage of a dangerous strain.

For drug therapy in kittens, Clamoxil, Sinulox or amoxicillin are used. Doxycycline is not prescribed due to its negative effect on the development of the nail plate and teeth, and disorders in the gastrointestinal tract. If several cats live in one apartment or house, the doctor prescribes a course of infection for all residents.

Eye drops or ointments can help relieve the symptoms of chlamydia in cats. Their main component is ciprofloxacin, tetracycline. These external remedies cannot lead to a final recovery, but simply transfer the disease into a latent form. Treatment of mucous membranes is carried out 3-4 times a day.

Caring for a sick animal

First of all, infected animals are completely isolated from contact with other animals, and contact with people is limited as much as possible. This does not mean that the poor fellow should be left alone without affection and support. It is enough for only one family member to take care of the patient: it is necessary to wear gloves when processing the conjunctival mucosa, so as not to further harm the pet and not to catch an infection.

Due to the use of antibiotics, dysbacteriosis may develop, so during the recovery period, yoghurts and low-fat fermented milk products, which contain lactobacilli, should be added to the diet. Chicken broth or wet food recommended by your veterinarian will help ease the digestion process. It is easier to add powdered tablets to these products.

The room intended for keeping an infected pet must be treated with special disinfectant solutions. Hygiene must be at a high level. The litter box is cleaned more often than before.

When contacting a mustachioed friend, family members should remove outer clothing and clean outdoor shoes to prevent transmission of the parasite. After interacting with the patient, be sure to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and then wipe with an antibacterial solution to completely destroy germs. It is unacceptable to release an animal into the street, where it can infect its relatives.

Causes of the disease

Methods of transmission of infection and factors contributing to infection with chlamydial infection:

• weakened animal body, especially a kitten;
• walking the cat on the street, where the presence of physiological secretions of sick animals, in particular rodents, is possible;
• intrauterine infection, when a kitten passes through an infected birth canal;
• sexual contact with a sick animal;
• aerogenic (airborne) penetration of the pathogen into the body, for example, when an infected animal sneezes;
• alimentary route of infection by eating raw or insufficiently cooked meat of an infected animal.

Prevention of infection

Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely protect cats from infection with chlamydia. They do not have the necessary set of antibodies in the body that can cope with the harmful microbe. However, following simple preventive measures will significantly reduce the risk.

What veterinarians advise:

1. Examine your pet annually in veterinary clinics, this is especially important in the case of mating or participation in championships and exhibitions.
2. Limit communication, games with stray brothers, and prevent the capture of rodents.
3. Monitor the sanitary and hygienic conditions of keeping your mustachioed friend.
4. When returning home, a person needs to wash their hands and keep their outerwear or shoes clean.
5. Offer your pet a proper, balanced diet. It must be appropriate for age, size and breed characteristics.
6. Use vitamin and mineral complexes to develop and maintain a strong immune system.
7. Carry out regular deworming against intestinal parasites. This will keep your health in good condition.

Additionally, you need to remember about your relationship with your pet. Constant shouting, spanking, and rudeness cause him to become stressed, which weakens his overall well-being, making him more susceptible to infections.

Homeless shelters rarely allow pets to be separated into separate groups, although this is a necessary condition for safe cohabitation. The owners of such places try to breed vaccinated cats and individuals with obvious manifestations of the disease in different enclosures.

On the territory of nurseries for breeding purebred representatives of the cat family, only vaccinated, completely healthy individuals should be kept, and each newcomer is accommodated in a separate room for 3-4 weeks for quarantine.

Preventive vaccination

Currently, several vaccines are used in veterinary practice to help prevent the development of a dangerous strain. There is a foreign, proven vaccine, Katavac Chlamydia. The Russian analogue drug is the biologically created drug ChlamiKon. Both drugs belong to the group of monovaccines and are called prophylactic.

Multivalent (multifunctional) preventive agents include Multifel-4, which protects against a complex of bacteria: tracheitis, calcivirus, chlamydia. The drug was produced in Russia and received many positive reviews from veterinarians. Its foreign analogue is Felovax-4, produced in the United States of America, and Purevax RCPCh, produced in France.

A prerequisite for successful vaccination is preliminary deworming, as well as good health. Therefore, before routine vaccination, the veterinarian is obliged to examine the pet for the presence of viruses and bacteria.

What to do at home

Like other cat diseases, chlamydia is treated in strict accordance with the veterinarian's instructions. If the infectious condition is not aggravated by pneumonia and difficulty breathing, then treatment can be carried out at home.

During this period, the pet must be isolated from other animals. The course of prescribed therapy, despite the improvement in the cat’s health, is carried out to the end. This takes approximately a month and allows you to exclude a recurrence of the disease, which can occur if the infection persists in the animal’s untreated body.

You should carefully monitor the hygiene of a sick cat:

• wet cleaning of the area where the cat is located with disinfectants;
• clean the toilet more often;
• Wash the food plate thoroughly immediately after eating.

In order for the prescribed treatment to bring a positive result, the owner must follow all the prescriptions and recommendations of the veterinarian.

Fermented milk products should be included in the diet. You should pay attention to vitamins and minerals to restore the animal’s strength. No special diet is required for this disease.

Transmission of bacteria to humans

The bacterium is dangerous not only for representatives of the cat family, but also for all family members. A person becomes infected while caring for a patient in any phase of recovery if simple rules of personal hygiene are not followed. The disease begins to manifest itself in the form of conjunctivitis of the eyes. Infection of young children, elderly and sick family members with weakened immune systems is especially undesirable. Therefore, it is better to completely protect them from close communication with the carrier.

The greatest danger to the owner and other household members is the chronic course of chlamydia in cats. In this case, it is asymptomatic, because of this it is impossible to guess in time about the presence of a dangerous infection.

Chlamydia is characterized by respiratory manifestations and the development of viral conjunctivitis. A laboratory test at a veterinary clinic helps determine the presence of the parasite. Drug therapy takes a long time and under the strict supervision of a veterinarian. In addition to the usual preventive measures, vaccines are used to prevent infection of household members.

The article is for informational purposes only. Contact your veterinarian!

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Features of kitten treatment

Most often, cats from 2 months to 5 years old suffer from chlamydia; there are known cases of infection of newborn kittens by the mother during childbirth or while feeding offspring. In the case of kittens under 2 months of age, treatment should be selected especially carefully. These babies have a weakened immune system, many medications are dosed differently than in adult cats, and some medications are completely contraindicated.

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